“Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say,

‘May God’s peace be on this house.’

If those who live there are peaceful,

the blessing will stand; 

if they are not,

the blessing will return to you.

Luke 10:5-6

(Goldfinches, male & female)

…While everyone was marveling at everything he was doing, 

Jesus said to his disciples,  

“Listen to me and remember what I say. 

The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies.”  

But they didn’t know what he meant. 

Its significance was hidden from them, 

so they couldn’t understand it, 

and they were afraid to ask him about it.

Luke 9:43-45

Then he asked them,

“But who do you say I am?”

Peter replied,

“You are the Messiah sent from God!”

Luke 9:20

“Love your enemies! Do good to them.

Lend to them without expecting to be repaid.

Then your reward from heaven will be very great,

and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High,

for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.

Luke 6:35

…The young man who had died was a widow’s only son,

and a large crowd from the village was with her.

When the Lord saw her,

his heart overflowed with compassion.

“Don’t cry!” he said.

Luke 7:12-13

What blessings await you 

when people hate you

and exclude you

and mock you

and curse you as evil

because you follow the Son of Man.

Luke 6:22

(Pine Warbler)

Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe,

and they praised God, exclaiming,

“We have seen amazing things today!”

Luke 5:26

(Pileated Woodpecker)

…“Now go out where it is deeper,

and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

Luke 5:4

…“What authority and power this man’s words possess!

Even evil spirits obey him,

and they flee at his command!”

Luke 4:36

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,

and there are no grapes on the vines;

even though the olive crop fails,

and the fields lie empty and barren;

even though the flock die in the fields,

and the cattle barns are empty,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord!

I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

Habakkuk 3:17-18